Toby Keith Is One of the Newest Members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Toby Keith is one of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame! Brooks and Dunn announced the new inductees during a press conference from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Monday morning (March 18th). Toby Keith (Covel) will be inducted under the Modern Era Artist category.

“Toby’s passing left our hearts broken,” says the Covel family. “We miss him so much, but we take comfort that his music and legacy will live forever. Thank you, Country Music Hall of Fame, for helping keep it alive.”

John Anderson will go under the Veterans Era Artist category, and in the Recording and/or Touring Musician category, famed guitar player James Burton (Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, etc.). Keith Urban helped break the news to Mr. Burton, according to the press release. “I was on the phone with Keith Urban, and I kind of felt that Keith was beating around the bush a bit and small talking me,” he says. “He then stated that he was going to hand the phone to a young lady for a minute. I thought it was a friend of Keith’s that just wanted to say hi or talk guitars. Instead, she (CMA President Sarah Trahern) introduced herself and simply said, ‘Mr. Burton, you’ve been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.’ I was completely shocked and couldn’t think of anything to say.”

A formal induction honoring all three will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum during the official Medallion Ceremony in October. A final date will be announced soon.

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